‘The number 39 gave me everything in life’: Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes on the significance of the shirt number he has worn throughout senior career

Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has been a key figure in the heart of the Magpies’ midfield.

The club paid £33milllion for the 25-year-old, with a further £6.7m in add-ons back in 2022.

He has signed a contract at St. James’ Park until 2026 and immediately took the no. 39 shirt, much to the surprise of many fans.

In that season, the Brazilian was part of the side that finished 11th in the Premier League table. However, his first full season at St. James’ Park, Guimaraes played an big part in helping the side finish fourth in the league.

The Magpies are now set to play in the Champions League for the first time since the 2002-03 season.

Many fans will notice that he wears the no. 39 on his shirt – which has an emotional meaning behind it

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Many Premier League fans will be familiar his shirt number but may not know why he has opted to wear it. In his breakthrough season for Athletico Paranaense in 2017, the Brazilian side handed Guimaraes the no. 39 kit. Since then, the midfielder has been accustomed to it. 

Guimaraes revealed last year that 39 is actually his dad’s taxi number.

‘My dad’s taxi number!’ he revealed.

‘When I turned 15, I got the chance to move to Audax São Paulo. It was a huge opportunity, but I had to leave my family and live all on my own. I will never forget, my parents drove me the five hours to Sao Paulo in my father’s yellow taxi.’

‘They used to drive up to see me in the taxi on weekends. Even on his day off, my dad couldn’t escape the yellow taxi, number 39.’

It is the shirt he then wore at Lyon and now at Newcastle. Although, the frequency with which its origin is mentioned has become a family joke.

‘Every time the commentator talks about my dad’s taxi, we laugh. But it is also very important to us – we love that number.’

The love for his parents, who have moved to Newcastle, is also very evident.

The Brazilian has featured in both of Newcastle’s Premier League games this season

‘They are proud of my career. In the difficult moments, when I thought about giving up, they stopped me. 

‘I don’t think I would be a professional footballer without their support.’

Guimaraes, who has 12 caps for Brazil, scored five goals in 40 appearances for the Magpies last season.

The midfielder has featured in both of Newcastle’s Premier League games so far this season, with the Brazilian star hoping for yet another successful campaign for Eddie Howe’s side.